VESSEL REVIEW | Ro Spirit – Norwegian salmon wellboat fitted with innovative bow foil technology

Norwegian salmon farming company Rostein has taken delivery of the tenth wellboat in a series ordered from local shipbuilder Larsnes Mek Verksted.

Ro Spirit was built jointly by Larsnes Mek Verksted and Polish shipyard Marine Projects to a design developed by Skipskompetanse in compliance to DNV class +1A EO regulations. The newbuild will be used for both open and closed transport of fish and smolt in a hold with capacity for 2,800 cubic metres.

The wellboat has a length of 79.27 metres, a beam of 15 metres, a draught of seven metres, a gross tonnage of 2,999, a deadweight of 2,500, and accommodations for 12 crewmembers. An IMO Tier III-compliant diesel engine drives a controllable-pitch propeller to deliver a speed of just over 14 knots.

Wavefoil Technologies fitted a specially built retractable foil measuring nearly eight metres wide on the bow to help reduce the vessel's vertical acceleration, thus ensuring a more level attitude while underway. The resulting stability minimises any adverse effects on the live fish being transported and helps improve crew comfort.

The bow foil is also capable of converting wave energy directly into propulsion to reduce the engine's fuel consumption over the same sailing distances.

The crew accommodation spaces include 10 cabins, a lounge, a locker room, and a mess with an adjacent day room. Work on the interiors was undertaken by Rovde Møbel and Design and R&M Ship Interior.